The 6 Ways You’re Making Your Kids Fat and a ‘Secret Danger’ in Their Breakfast
We all know that too much sugar makes us fat. But are our parents sufficiently informed about the health of our children?
Seven common mistakes could be contributing to your child’s obesity without you even realizing it.
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The obesity crisis in the UK has officially become an epidemic, with research showing that childhood obesity has almost tripled in the last 30 years.
According to the U.S. government, doctors plan to test weight-loss vaccines similar to Ozempic in children as young as six years old. Daily Mail.
In England, two in five children leave primary school classified as overweight, while 36.6% of children overall are of an unhealthy weight, reports The guard.
Nutritionist and mother of one Jenna Hoop reveals the seven surprising ways we’re making our kids fat without even realizing it. And what we can do to turn the tide.
The author of How do you stay healthy? we analyzed the daily factors that play a role in childhood obesity.
SAP IS A SECRET DANGER
Many parents believe that fruit juice contains one of the five essential nutrients for the day.
However, Jenna warns that the sugar content is so high that your child would be better off with a piece of real fruit.
“I totally understand why parents eat cereal and fruit juice for breakfast. Society tells us that this is the norm,” she explains.
“But actually the amount of sugar in juice in particular is enormous – it’s not good for children’s teeth and it’s not good for their weight either.
“Children don’t really need to drink anything other than water, it’s a simple swap.
“I understand that juice tastes good and is sweet, so chances are a child will ask for it and the parents will not be aware of the dangers.
“But the reality is the kids would be better off with a real apple or orange.”
While many parents opt for lemonade for their little ones, Jenna advises instead, “If your child refuses to drink plain water, you can squeeze half an orange into their drink as a healthier alternative.”
SCREEN TIME MAKES YOU FAT
Some parents don’t understand the connection between screen time and obesity, and it’s not just a sedentary lifestyle that causes weight gain.
“More and more children are eating in front of a screen and this can have a negative effect on their appetite regulation,” Jenna explains.
7 Ways Parents Contribute to Childhood Obesity
Nutritionist Jenna Hope explained how parents often contribute to their children’s weight problems without even realizing it.
- Juice: Instead of starting your child’s day with a sugary drink, you can also give him or her a glass of water.
- Screen time: If you turn off your brain while eating, your child will be more likely to eat.
- Snacks as a discipline: Children need to learn how to entertain themselves without snacking or sitting in front of a screen.
- Food as a reward: Giving your child his or her favorite treat as a response to good behavior may set him or her up for an unhealthy relationship with food as they grow up.
- Dessert: Should not be given after every meal as this will cause your child to crave sugar after eating.
- Strollers and cars: If we rely too much on these forms of transportation, we become lazy.
“If you place a screen in front of a child, the brain focuses on the screen and not on the food.
“Because the brain has so little to do with the food, it is more likely to eat more.
“It can even affect the way we absorb our nutrients.
“Our stomach doesn’t produce the right digestive enzymes to break down the food because the brain doesn’t respond properly.
“This means that partially digested food enters the intestines, which can affect their energy levels.
“You will notice that your children will crave more sugar when they have low energy.”
Jenna described the process as “a vicious cycle” and advised parents to avoid it by “keeping screens and mealtimes separate.”
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USING SNACKS TO DISCIPLINE
Jenna often sees parents giving their children snacks and treats to keep them occupied.
But she claims it is a bad habit and harmful to their weight in the long run.
“Parenting is hard and a lot of parents are busy all the time, juggling multiple things all the time. If they can find a way to keep their kids busy, they will,” she explains.
“A pack of chocolate buttons can save you a surprising amount of time, but it is extremely bad for the child’s health.
Enjoy a moment of peace together, your child will definitely look forward to it.
Jenna Hoop
“Children need to learn to entertain themselves without the need for snacks or watching television.
“We need to teach them to play in their own environment and find time together to be distracted.”
She advises parents who are feeling overwhelmed to take their child aside and “take a glass of water with them.”
“Enjoy a moment of quiet together and your child will soon look forward to it,” says Jenna.
FOOD GIVEN AS A REWARD
Most parents are guilty of this: using candy as a reward to get their children to do what they want.
But according to Jenna, this sets the stage for lifelong problems surrounding food.
“It’s very common for moms and dads to say, ‘If you don’t do this, you won’t get dessert,’” she explains.
According to Jenna, this is a habit that should be completely abolished.
Using food as a reward can really contribute to a poor relationship with food later in life.
Jenna Hoop
“Using food as a reward can really contribute to a poor relationship with food later in life, as children may start using it to manage their emotions,” she says.
Jenna explains that people can also “start using food to reward themselves.”
Research published in the National Library of Medicine suggests that obese children are five times more likely to remain obese as adults.
According to Jenna, this can increase the risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease and joint problems.
But she realizes that in today’s society it is easier said than done.
“It’s tough because we’re all doing our best as parents and for most people this kind of reward system is an easy fix,” she says.
“But I would suggest using stickers, or a reward jar where you collect small tokens over time in exchange for a trip to the park.
“It’s not easy with our busy lives, but in the long run it will do wonders.”
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DESSERT AFTER EVERY MEAL
Most people consider eating dessert after dinner a common occurrence, but Jenna points out that this type of routine only promotes weight gain in children.
Like adults, children need only a certain amount of calories per day. Four-year-olds need about 1,300 calories and 10-year-olds need about 2,000, according to the British Nutrition Foundation.
So it’s important not to spoil your little one’s sweet tooth too much.
“I think it would be a big help in keeping kids’ weight under control by preventing them from automatically eating dessert after every dinner,” says Jenna.
“Is dessert really necessary? Children grow up with the idea that they need something sweet after every meal, which of course is not the case.
She suggests giving your child a larger portion of “healthy food” if you think he or she will still be hungry after dinner.
“It’s important that children learn to be satisfied with one course, otherwise they will quickly gain weight,” Jenna explains.
TRUST IN STROLLER AND CARS
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According to Jenna, excessive use of strollers and cars to travel short distances can also lead to unnecessary weight gain
“The reliance on strollers and cars is certainly a factor that makes children less active,” she says.
“Many toddlers who can walk should be given the opportunity to use their legs more, within reasonable limits.”
She added that people are often too quick to “jump in the car to cover distances they could also cover on foot.”
“I often see families who spend their weekends getting in the car to drive to a restaurant and eating fast food while looking at a tablet,” says Jenna.
“We really want families to get out, have fun, go to the park, go for family walks and encourage their kids to walk or, if you can afford it, cycle.”
